Illinois Budget 12.31.08

Wednesday

Dec 31, 2008 at 12:01 AMDec 31, 2008 at 1:09 AM

Illinois Budget 12.31.08

Illinois Budget 12.31.08

Here are the top Illinois stories coming today from GateHouse News Service. Stories are available at http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com. Please check http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/regional_news/midwest/illinois/news in the evening for changes to story lineup, including breaking news.

If your paper has a story, digest item, opinion piece or standalone photo to share, please e-mail it to Illinois@gatehousemedia.com.

SENATE SEATS FOR SALE: Gov. Rod Blagojevich might deny selling the state's U. S. Senate seat, but "Al the Jeweler" is hopeful the public will want to buy plenty from him. By John Sharp. http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/regional_news/midwest/illinois/x131783257/Senate-seats-for-sale-Jeweler-satirizes-Blago

STATE BRIEFS: News from around the state. Will be posted this evening.

BLAGO/BURRIS FOLO. Story likely will touch on various aspects of yesterday's naming of Roland Burris to the U.S. Senate seat. For instance, observers are offering mixed views on whether Secretary of State Jesse White's refusal to certify the Burris appointment really would keep Burris out of the Senate. By Doug Finke. Will be posted this evening.

NEW LAWS: An overall roundup of new state laws taking effect on Jan. 1. Story has a brief lead-in, then categorizes selected new bills according to subject: Crime, Health, etc. By Adriana Colindres. Will be posted this evening.

BEAR ON THE LOOSE: Bureau County’s elusive black bear has surfaced once again, and this time someone got pictures. By Dave Clarke. http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/regional_news/midwest/illinois/x2094347021/Black-bear-resurfaces-again-east-of-Neponset

INTERLAKE TROUBLES: 230 jobs could be leaving Pontiac if the city's sixth-largest employer isn't successful in selling the business. Naperville-based Interlake Material Handling Plant announced to employees on Monday that it faces closure if a potential buyer doesn't secure the financing it needs to buy the facility. By Lisa Coon. http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/regional_news/midwest/illinois/x1060493020/Pontiac-could-lose-230-jobs-at-Interlake-plant

RESOLUTION SOLUTIONS: How to stick to your goals in 2009. By Andrea Zimmermann. http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/regional_news/midwest/illinois/x1277298765/Resolution-solutions-How-to-stick-to-your-goals-in-2009

CHRIS BRITT is off this week, but he did a special cartoon on the Blago-Burris incident: http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/regional_news/midwest/illinois/x1060492145/Britt-cartoon-On-Blagojevichs-appointment-of-Burris

EDITORIAL: If you doubted indicted Gov. Rod Blagojevich could find another way to immerse himself in contempt, he disappointed you. By The Journal-Standard. http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/opinions/editorials/x131783201/Editorial-Burris-should-know-better

EDITORIAL: Roland Burris must now be wondering whether he's made the biggest mistake of his political career. By the Journal Star. http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/opinions/editorials/x512369994/Editorial-The-political-job-absolutely-not-worth-taking

EDITORIAL: Rod Blagojevich is a non-homicidal version of The Joker from the summer blockbuster “The Dark Knight.” They have one thing in common: a desire to shock people and sow discord. By The State Journal-Register. http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/opinions/editorials/x131783269/Editorial-Rod-The-Joker

EDITORIAL: Any choice by this governor would be the wrong choice. By the Rockford Register Star. http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/opinions/editorials/x2094347244/Editorial-Any-choice-by-this-governor-would-be-the-wrong-choice

KELLY EPPERSON: Happy New Year! Ring it in with glad tidings. http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/regional_news/midwest/illinois/x512370176/Kelly-Epperson-Happy-New-Year-Ring-it-in-with-glad-tidings

ILLINI:
- Today: Illinois won't be able to fly under the radar any more after an overtime win at No. 9 Purdue on Tuesday. By John Supinie. Will be posted this evening.
- Thursday: No stories.

BEARS: The Bears’ biggest needs and their chances of filling them. By Matt Trowbridge. http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/sports/pro/football/bears/x1277303821/Safety-WR-pass-rush-Bears-top-offseason-concerns

PAINFUL FUN: Fantasy football just as agonizing as the real thing. By Joey Baskerville. http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/sports/pro/football/fantasy_football/x131783196/Fantasy-football-just-as-agonizing-as-the-real-thing

KIRK WESSLER: Time to hand out the Kirk & Jerk Awards. http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/features/x1621229862/Kirk-Wessler-Time-to-hand-out-the-Kirk-Jerk-Awards